Monday, August 11, 2008

Two Powerful Spiritual Leaders Today


I was impressed and moved by the writeup in Newsweek on Reverend Rick Warren whom they termed "The Purpose Driven Pastor" who, according to this magazine, is the most powerful religious leader in the world today. Rick Warren is the founder and pastor of Saddleback Church in Lake Forest, California. On August 16 he will assume the part of a national inquisitor in a "civil forum" featuring the two presidential candidates - Barack Obama and John McCain who will be civilly grilled for an hour apiece.

When the book THE PURPOSE DRIVEN LIFE emerged as a best seller for several weeks, Rick Warren was made, so to speak. The book sold 40 million copies worldwide - and Rick turned over 90% of his profits to his beloved church.

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Over in the Philippine Republic, the Filipinos have discovered to their delight one among them who has proven to the world that his heart is in the right place and he is most likely to be among the coming leaders who can either take part in leading the country [Philippines] towards the right path or be an influence in the process. I guess this is going to be a “Tony” project since I am endorsing the presentation to another Tony whose accurate and well written columns have, over the years, shown its true substance especially in terms of doing good for our country. Here is what Tony Abaya has written about this other Tony.

By Antonio C. Abaya

In a commencement speech before the graduating classes of the Ateneo de Manila University last March 25, Tony Meloto urged his young listeners to “let your vision and the power that you have discovered to change the world, define what is real for you. Make your love for this country and our people, especially the poor, your reality and your priority. Make it the foundation of your career plans, your dreams and ambitions for your children and the goal of any political or economic power that you have the privilege to wield.

“Wherever you are in the world, excel and prosper but remain connected to the motherland and dedicate your success to the fulfillment not just of your dreams but to the many in your country who have lost their capacity to dream.

“Do not be content in finding artificial security in gated subdivisions when you can provide yourself a buffer of peace by caring for the needy around you. Nor be content with living in First World luxury in a Third World environment and contributing to the discontent and the growing threats around the security of your own family.

“Give value to the land of your birth by sharing with those who for generations have been deprived of its use and abundance. Be a blessing to your children’s future by making it your responsibility to be father or mother of the abandoned and neglected.

“Be the hero who finds courage and the conviction that this country is worth saving, because it is a gift from God and that your life is meaningless if it is not dedicated to the fulfillment of a divine destiny to be a great people…”

But Meloto’s message has gravitas because he offers them a vehicle, a medium, a transformational passageway through which those graduates who decide to make the choice can directly discover how to live a life for others, how to experience a love of country that they have not experienced before, how to find meaning in their own lives beyond creature comforts and self-gratification.

Tony Meloto was honored for his role in Gawad Kalinga, a project of Couples for Christ that seeks to build dignified housing for the poorest of the poor through the efforts of thousands of volunteers.

To date, GK volunteers have built housing for more than 100,000 families in some 850 communities in different parts of the country. Gawad Kalinga hopes to build 700,000 homes in 7,000 communities in the next seven years.

But more than the actual physical structures, GK has built a feeling of community among those who have volunteered their time and energy, which is but a step toward a feeling of nationhood that we Filipinos sorely lack and need. More important also is the ability of Meloto and GK to attract volunteers, even from other countries, to come to these parts and help build dignified housing for the poorest of the poor.

Tony Meloto’s desire is to simply support his work in Gawad Kalinga and promote GK, a movement that engages all sectors of society and all political parties, as the hope of the Philippines. We have a dangerous and highly charged political situation in the Philippines and my father-in-law works very hard to navigate the shark-infested waters without being bitten…”

The difference between Tony Meloto’s vision and mine, and it is a big difference, is that he managed to turn it into reality, and I didn’t. Here’s to you, Tocayo.

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